By ELISE BLACH
AS SUMMER has come around again it’s time to pull out our sand encrusted tube of sunscreen and prepare for the onslaught of Australia’s sweltering sun! No matter what skin type you were born with, it is always best to treat your skin with care and avoid those skin stinging showers later on!
The sun is the major cause of skin cancer but also triggers our body to produce vitamin D, which is essential for strong bones and overall health. In summer most Victorians are able to maintain a good amount of vitamin D, however you do not need to fry yourself to achieve this! Sometimes UV radiation can get so strong on a nice January day that it can cause sunburn in just 11 minutes. Whether you’re a beachgoer or a pool swimmer it is vital to have a sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher. If you are swimming or coming in contact with water, a water resistant sunscreen is even better. It is also a good idea to allow children to apply their own sunscreen, under supervision of course because no-one wants a baby looking like a melted soft serve! However allowing them to apply it themselves gains their independence and knowledge that it is important to care for their own body.
Even though some just stop at the sunscreen and think that is enough protection, for me it is important to set a good example for your children and younger family members. As the summer sun intensifies and you find yourself planning out an A to B route with the least amount of sun exposure so you don’t burn the soles of your feet or melt your Paddle Pop in two seconds flat, it’s not that hard to slap on a hat. Have you ever had a burnt scalp? Not only is it painful it’s also a place on your body that you may not be able to see too well if a funny sunspot does decide to appear.
If you plan on having a full day down at the beach it is important to spend some time in the shade. It not only provides a more cool and comfortable environment, it can reduce the risk of you or your children getting heat stroke. Drink lots of water and have some downtime in the shade if you find your children are quite active throughout the day. Rash vests are a great invention as they minimise parts of the body to apply sunscreen to. You may be able to relate to this one mums and dads, as it’s hard enough to get your children to stand still for two seconds, let alone two minutes while you rub sunscreen on them from head to toe!
If your child considers themselves as a pretty cool kid, then don’t hesitate to encourage them to wear sunglasses! Even though they may be covered up with a hat, clothing and sunscreen, UV rays are still able to reflect and affect their eyes.
Although parents with babies under 12 months old should be encouraged to be kept out of direct sunlight, sometimes it is just unavoidable. Thank goodness there are a few brands of sunscreen out there especially made for babies and toddlers. While they are just as protective, they are gentler for your little one’s skin. However always test on your child’s skin beforehand to make sure they don’t have any allergic reactions.
It seems so simple, especially in this day and age, that we should know the basics by now but sometimes we allow these simple tasks to slide through the cracks with our “she’ll be right mate” attitude and end up with sore skin. Not only do you end up with flaky skin, it really could lead to something worse down the track. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. At least two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70. You would hate to be one of the reasons your children have been diagnosed with skin cancer later on in life because simple preventative procedures weren’t taught or put in place to begin with. However the good news is that skin cancer is one the most preventable forms of cancer if successfully found and treated early. So see your local GP if you have any concerns about your skin and look after yourself and those around you this summer.
